MATS Residency Applications Are Now Open! Talented researchers interested in artificial intelligence safety, alignment and catastrophic-risk reduction can now apply for the MATS Winter 2027 Residency, an international research opportunity designed to give promising individuals dedicated time, support and access to a global research community. The MATS Residency is particularly notable for applicants who may not have followed a traditional academic research pathway. A PhD is not required, and applicants do not need to hold a job with “researcher” in the title, have an extensive publication record or have previously worked in AI safety. The Winter 2027 application window opened on 25 August 2026 and closes on 31 October 2026, Anywhere on Earth (AoE). Selected residents are expected to begin in early 2027, with rolling start dates across the programme’s intake arrangements. What Is the MATS Residency? The MATS Residency supports talented individuals who want to conduct meaningful research and safety-relevant work related to advanced artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing primarily on academic credentials, the programme assesses the quality and seriousness of an applicant’s work. This makes the opportunity potentially attractive to researchers, technical professionals, policy specialists and individuals transitioning into AI safety from other fields. MATS states that applicants can be strong candidates even without a PhD, extensive publications or previous AI safety experience. The programme is interested in people capable of producing outstanding work, including individuals whose strongest contributions may be confidential, unpublished or developed outside conventional research positions. Three Residency Tracks Available Applicants can choose from different pathways depending on their experience and the type of work they want to pursue. 1. Bridge Track The Bridge track can suit individuals transitioning into AI safety or those who need dedicated time to develop their research and strengthen their body of work. Applicants must provide a research plan, explain why MATS is the right opportunity at this stage of their career and demonstrate how their previous experience could contribute to AI safety research. 2. Anchor Track The Anchor track is designed for applicants seeking a longer-term staff researcher pathway. Candidates are expected to demonstrate that they can take ownership of an open-ended problem and make meaningful progress. Importantly, MATS notes that this evidence can come from independent research, a thesis, industry research, technical or policy work, or comparable experience. Peer-reviewed publications and previous AI safety experience are not mandatory. 3. Incubation Track The Incubation track is aimed at applicants developing a research agenda, research programme or organisation. Candidates submit a project plan, explain why their proposed direction is novel and outline what they intend to accomplish during their first 90 days. Depending on the project, applicants may also need to address governance, publication strategy, information hazards, dual-use risks, team requirements and resources. Research Areas MATS Is Looking For MATS is particularly interested in research capable of contributing to the reduction of catastrophic risks from AI. Current areas of interest include safe automation of alignment research, safety cases and evaluations, AI strategy, AI assurance, technical AI governance, and agentic and multi-agent AI safety and alignment. However, applicants are not restricted to these areas. MATS encourages candidates to propose the work they believe is most important for AI alignment and reducing catastrophic AI risk, while clearly explaining the theory of change behind their proposed research. International Applicants Can Apply The MATS Residency is open to applicants internationally. Candidates can indicate a preferred office in London, Berkeley or Washington, DC, depending on where they believe they can benefit most from proximity to relevant laboratories, collaborators and research communities. The Residency operates in a hybrid format, with residents expected to spend at least one-third of their Residency working in person from the programme’s offices. Residents can also move between the offices during the programme rather than being permanently assigned to one location. For international participants relocating from abroad, MATS provides visa support. What Applicants Need to Submit Applicants are required to provide several materials through the online application. These include a short profile and eligibility section, a CV of no more than two pages, office preference, track selection and two references. Candidates must also submit a representative work sample demonstrating their strongest or most relevant work. This could include a paper, repository, technical report, evaluation, policy analysis or another substantial research output. Applicants will also complete two short written responses and a brief counterfactual question. Track-specific requirements, including research or project plans, are required depending on the pathway selected. How to Strengthen an Application Applicants should focus less on trying to appear impressive through credentials and more on demonstrating strong reasoning, meaningful previous work and a credible research direction. A clear research plan should explain the problem being addressed, why it matters, what the applicant intends to investigate and how the proposed work could contribute to reducing AI-related risks. Applicants should also select the track that genuinely matches their experience and goals. MATS encourages individuals who are uncertain about their suitability or track choice to contact the programme before applying. Application Deadline The MATS Winter 2027 Residency offers an opportunity for talented individuals worldwide to pursue AI safety research with dedicated research time and access to an international community. Application deadline: 31 October 2026 (Anywhere on Earth). Applications are reviewed by the MATS Residency team, with selected candidates expected to be informed by the end of 2026 and plans in place for early 2027 starts. Apply Now Interested researchers should carefully review the eligibility information, choose the most appropriate track and prepare their strongest representative work before submitting an application through the official MATS Residency application portal. This could be an opportunity for researchers with strong ideas and demonstrated ability to enter the AI safety field—even without a PhD or traditional AI safety background. 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